Teens delve into internship program

Vacaville Boys & Girls Club summer intern Brie Eaton practices reading her personal statement to other teens at the Trower Center on Thursday in preparation for today's ceremony. The 14-year-old was among the first round of summer interns to complete the program.

Like the Berenstain Bears, teens in the internship program at the Vacaville Neighborhood Boys & Girls Club are learning all about themselves — inside, outside and upside down.

About 30 youths, separated into two clusters this summer, will receive a foundation in finances, career and college planning and goal-setting while also participating in community service projects and supervising younger members at the club.

It's an intensive four-week program in which teens delve deep, contemplate educational and professional opportunities and learn how to plan to make their dream futures a reality.

By program's end the kids earn a $300 stipend, burnished leadership qualities and a leg-up on the coming academic year.

"We're always watching," said Anna Eaton, the club's executive director. "Some of them we'll send over to the other club (the new Acacia Street location, as youth leaders). Others may become staff."

Destiny Shoopman, a gregarious 15-year-old, received an education on colleges.

"We learned what schools we wanted to go to, what schools have our majors," said Destiny, who's aiming for a culinary arts college in Southern California, where her sister lives.

"And some of the stuff you can practice while you're still in high school," added Dominique Kelly-Hyson, 17.

But more than higher education, the somewhat reserved teen imparted, the internship sharpened her life skills.

"It taught me how to work with kids. I have six siblings between 9 and 14," Dominique emphasized. "It's taught me how to work better with kids, get them to do things, those techniques that work on them."

Her experiences thus far are leading to a career as a criminal justice attorney, with California State University, Sacramento, her college of choice.

For Golden Pryor, 14, the program apparently grounded him financially.

"Mad City Money has opened my eyes," explained the budding actor/artist, of the program that teaches youths how much adulthood can cost.

As for the program as a whole, "It's helped me understand how much of a leader I can be if I try," he said.

Charlyn Agbayani, 16, said the program has made her a more well-rounded person and she just enjoys being an intern.

Arielle Sumilhig and Israel Jurado, the classroom instructors with the Solano County Educational Consortium, and Melissa Nance, who heads the community service portion of the program, described the project as fun, entertaining and educational. While they learn more about the kids, the kids learn more about themselves and the world around them.

The first group of interns graduated last Friday, portraying skits and sharing personal statements. The second group began their journey on Monday.

To learn more about the club, go online to www.vnbgc.com or check out @vbgcteens on Twitter.